ICC mull quicker reintegration of banned players

An amended ICC anti-corruption code, set to be implemented from June, is likely to facilitate a quicker return to international cricket for players serving long-term bans. The idea behind the move is to help the player get ready to play competitive cricket as soon as the ban period is over rather than wait for the ban to end before he can start training.

"There are some amendments being considered to the anti-corruption code and one of those amendments deals with how we reintegrate banned players back into cricket," Dave Richardson, the ICC chief executive, told a selection of media during an informal gathering in Mirpur on Friday. "So if someone is banned for five years, can he come and play domestic cricket or club cricket a little bit earlier? So that when his five-year ban internationally expires, he can resume his career. So the revised code will deal with that, but it's not dealing specifically with an individual case. This will be a principle that will be applied to all people who may be banned, now or in the future."

This development will come as good news for the Pakistan trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, who were found guilty of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test of Pakistan's 2010 tour of England by an ICC tribunal. The three players were slapped bans by the tribunal: Butt got 10 years, Asif seven and Amir received a five-year ban from playing all forms of cricket.

Amir, who was 18 at the time, had pleaded not guilty in front of the tribunal but later confessed his guilt during a separate criminal hearing in London's Crown Court. Although Amir's ban comes to an end on September 2, 2015, the PCB has been trying hard to convince the ICC to allow him to ease his way back into cricket, starting by allowing him to train at the PCB facilities.

That proposal was put in front of the five-member sub-committee appointed by the ICC at its annual conference in London in 2013. The committee was meant to review and recommend amendments to the ICC' anti-corruption code, which was applied by the tribunal while banning the trio.

People askin "Why to re-imtegrate him after his actions?"
I would question why not to give death panelty to All the covicts whether murderers or small thief - how will they re-integrate into the society aftrr their henious acts? Punishment is for repentence, to teach a lessson but not to ruin someone, Mr Francis Mel.

on March 23, 2014, 16:25 GMT

I am not surprised most Pakistanis agree to this proposal. Not surprised at all.

on March 23, 2014, 10:27 GMT

Amir did that as the captain told him to do so.
he was the youngest then. I think he had little choice. Salman was the main culprit. Let a star to shine in the sky.

on March 23, 2014, 8:32 GMT

Guys I know if anybody has betrayed you you wouldn't trust them but Amir is a talent which can still re define cricket and as humans we should forgive ones mistake as so does god he has served punishment for his crimes and i peacefully hope that will bring change in him.

on March 23, 2014, 8:22 GMT

Amir should be given an opportunity to come to international cricket as soon as possible. As a bowler, every cricket fan in the world loves to see him bowling.....

on March 23, 2014, 5:48 GMT

I could not understand why people are supporting a person like Amir, who has cheated all of us and the game of cricket. I am also surprised with the notion of less punishment, this is against the spirit of Justice. Amir should serve his full punishment, only this is how we can give message to our new players. I am glad toothless ICC at least took a position.

on March 23, 2014, 4:50 GMT

I think those who bring bad name to game, country and family should never be allowed to be part of national team.

on March 22, 2014, 20:23 GMT

Being the mentor of M.Amir is a big encouraging news for v people.Soon a day will come of Amir revival.

on March 22, 2014, 17:56 GMT

I live Muhammad Aamir and hope to see him play for Pakistan again. But his offence was very serious. I think he should serve the whole ban. Let it be a lesson for others.

on March 22, 2014, 17:22 GMT

they have suffered a lot and now ICC should give them a chance to be back into the action... we are badly missing these two top guns Amir nd asif nd i think if they will be back then INSHA ALLAH our team green pace attack will be once again regain its position... i also request this committee to please give them a chance as soon as lossibke....

on April 12, 2014, 23:57 GMT

People askin "Why to re-imtegrate him after his actions?"
I would question why not to give death panelty to All the covicts whether murderers or small thief - how will they re-integrate into the society aftrr their henious acts? Punishment is for repentence, to teach a lessson but not to ruin someone, Mr Francis Mel.

on March 23, 2014, 16:25 GMT

I am not surprised most Pakistanis agree to this proposal. Not surprised at all.

on March 23, 2014, 10:27 GMT

Amir did that as the captain told him to do so.
he was the youngest then. I think he had little choice. Salman was the main culprit. Let a star to shine in the sky.

on March 23, 2014, 8:32 GMT

Guys I know if anybody has betrayed you you wouldn't trust them but Amir is a talent which can still re define cricket and as humans we should forgive ones mistake as so does god he has served punishment for his crimes and i peacefully hope that will bring change in him.

on March 23, 2014, 8:22 GMT

Amir should be given an opportunity to come to international cricket as soon as possible. As a bowler, every cricket fan in the world loves to see him bowling.....

on March 23, 2014, 5:48 GMT

I could not understand why people are supporting a person like Amir, who has cheated all of us and the game of cricket. I am also surprised with the notion of less punishment, this is against the spirit of Justice. Amir should serve his full punishment, only this is how we can give message to our new players. I am glad toothless ICC at least took a position.

on March 23, 2014, 4:50 GMT

I think those who bring bad name to game, country and family should never be allowed to be part of national team.

on March 22, 2014, 20:23 GMT

Being the mentor of M.Amir is a big encouraging news for v people.Soon a day will come of Amir revival.

on March 22, 2014, 17:56 GMT

I live Muhammad Aamir and hope to see him play for Pakistan again. But his offence was very serious. I think he should serve the whole ban. Let it be a lesson for others.

on March 22, 2014, 17:22 GMT

they have suffered a lot and now ICC should give them a chance to be back into the action... we are badly missing these two top guns Amir nd asif nd i think if they will be back then INSHA ALLAH our team green pace attack will be once again regain its position... i also request this committee to please give them a chance as soon as lossibke....

fireballer
on March 22, 2014, 15:58 GMT

Everyone deserves a second chance. they should be allowed back with strict conditions .

on March 22, 2014, 2:29 GMT

Good news to Amir. He will be delighted with this latest developments.

sharibhai
on March 21, 2014, 19:08 GMT

hope he does come back amir

on March 21, 2014, 18:39 GMT

why do you need tainted players in international / domestic circuit ? How do ICC expect the team mates to trust a tainted player ever ? Hard to understand this action.

PratUSA
on March 21, 2014, 18:21 GMT

This is wrong move. So now the ban would only mean ban from International Cricket? And if someone gets caught cheating at domestic level like in IPL and getting life ban as they are given by BCCI, should they only be banned for senior domestic and allowed to play at minor/club level? Also one effect of this lopsided regulation is that cheating at international level allows you to play domestic but if you cheat at domestic you can't do that so what's the better level to cheat at? The whole idea is ridiculous. When a player has injury and need 6 months rest/rehab, does he starts to play next day or takes time to build up fitness and form again? Then why "cheaters" should be given advantage? Really frustrated with ICC, PCB and all these decision makers who don't care enough about integrity of the game, and the trust that we fans invest in it.

on March 21, 2014, 17:37 GMT

For many jail terms there is an 80% rule which comes in. It allows someone that has a 10 year jail term to be eligible for parole after 8 years with 2 years on parole for good behavior.
I think Cricket should have a similar thing. Five years ban meaning four years total ban and one year partial ban (no international cricket) with ANY breach of ICC Code of Conduct leading to a total ban for the remainder of the parole period.
This would allow players like Amir to start getting their career back on track after the time has concluded.

shillingsworth
on March 21, 2014, 16:56 GMT

Why do they want to 're-integrate' these people? They cheated the game, then lied to the ICC Tribunal. Butt and Asif were even stupid enough to commit perjury in a criminal court. Like any other convicted criminal they deserve a second chance in the wider world, but cricket owes them nothing. A person convicted of stealing from their employer doesn't get their old job back, this lot should be treated the same.

No featured comments at the moment.

shillingsworth
on March 21, 2014, 16:56 GMT

Why do they want to 're-integrate' these people? They cheated the game, then lied to the ICC Tribunal. Butt and Asif were even stupid enough to commit perjury in a criminal court. Like any other convicted criminal they deserve a second chance in the wider world, but cricket owes them nothing. A person convicted of stealing from their employer doesn't get their old job back, this lot should be treated the same.

on March 21, 2014, 17:37 GMT

For many jail terms there is an 80% rule which comes in. It allows someone that has a 10 year jail term to be eligible for parole after 8 years with 2 years on parole for good behavior.
I think Cricket should have a similar thing. Five years ban meaning four years total ban and one year partial ban (no international cricket) with ANY breach of ICC Code of Conduct leading to a total ban for the remainder of the parole period.
This would allow players like Amir to start getting their career back on track after the time has concluded.

PratUSA
on March 21, 2014, 18:21 GMT

This is wrong move. So now the ban would only mean ban from International Cricket? And if someone gets caught cheating at domestic level like in IPL and getting life ban as they are given by BCCI, should they only be banned for senior domestic and allowed to play at minor/club level? Also one effect of this lopsided regulation is that cheating at international level allows you to play domestic but if you cheat at domestic you can't do that so what's the better level to cheat at? The whole idea is ridiculous. When a player has injury and need 6 months rest/rehab, does he starts to play next day or takes time to build up fitness and form again? Then why "cheaters" should be given advantage? Really frustrated with ICC, PCB and all these decision makers who don't care enough about integrity of the game, and the trust that we fans invest in it.

on March 21, 2014, 18:39 GMT

why do you need tainted players in international / domestic circuit ? How do ICC expect the team mates to trust a tainted player ever ? Hard to understand this action.

sharibhai
on March 21, 2014, 19:08 GMT

hope he does come back amir

on March 22, 2014, 2:29 GMT

Good news to Amir. He will be delighted with this latest developments.

fireballer
on March 22, 2014, 15:58 GMT

Everyone deserves a second chance. they should be allowed back with strict conditions .

on March 22, 2014, 17:22 GMT

they have suffered a lot and now ICC should give them a chance to be back into the action... we are badly missing these two top guns Amir nd asif nd i think if they will be back then INSHA ALLAH our team green pace attack will be once again regain its position... i also request this committee to please give them a chance as soon as lossibke....

on March 22, 2014, 17:56 GMT

I live Muhammad Aamir and hope to see him play for Pakistan again. But his offence was very serious. I think he should serve the whole ban. Let it be a lesson for others.

on March 22, 2014, 20:23 GMT

Being the mentor of M.Amir is a big encouraging news for v people.Soon a day will come of Amir revival.